Most career counselors and recruiting experts will tell you that following up after an interview is a must, especially if you really want the job and want the hiring manager to know it. Plus, following up after the interview gives you the chance to continue the conversation after the interview is over, or get a little closure to the interview process. The question though, is what's the best way to follow up? The folks at HR Bartender have some suggestions.

In most cases, they say, an email is the best way to follow up after an interview—it's fast, friendly, and unobtrusive, and doesn't put pressure on the hiring manager to stop everything they're doing and take your phone call, listen to your voicemail and call you back, or return a paper letter. The HR Bartender folks do note however that a paper note can often really stand out—you just have to use your judgment as to whether that would be in a good or bad way.

Take into account how you've been communicating with the hiring manager up to this point and follow suit. If you two have been speaking on the phone fairly regularly, it doesn't hurt to continue the trend with a phone call to say thanks for the interview and express your hope you'll hear from them—whatever the outcome—soon. Whatever you do, try to match your method to your interviewer's most preferred method, and follow up a few days after your interview.

Remember, the post-interview follow-up is an opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position and make sure you and the interviewer are on the same page and that there's no additional information they need from you. Your follow-up should include a reaffirmation of your interest in the position, and your clear belief that you're still the best person for the job and could thrive at their workplace. Even if they've already made a decision, sometimes other candidates decline offers or seek other opportunities, leaving an otherwise busy interviewer facing the prospect of interviewing more people or debating if someone they've already spoken to is still on the market.

Hit the link below to read the full interview, loaded with dos and don'ts for the perfect post-interview follow-up.